15-year Pacific licence issued through the Vanuatu Gaming Authority
Vanuatu Gaming Licence
Vanuatu's Interactive Gaming Licence covers casino, betting, poker and every other form of interactive gaming under one authorisation. It costs €10,000 a year for one domain, has no fixed minimum capital and runs for up to 15 years. Vantegris runs the whole file.
What is the Vanuatu gaming licence?
The Vanuatu Interactive Gaming Licence is granted under the Interactive Gaming Act [Cap 261]. Section 34 of the Act makes the Director of Customs and Inland Revenue the regulator, and applications are filed through VGA Limited, the sole exclusive agent for the licence, which operates as the Vanuatu Gaming Authority. Operators use it for online casino, sports betting and poker aimed at international players.
Its appeal in 2026 is economics. Under Order No. 110 of 2024 the application fee is €5,000 and the licence fee is €10,000 on grant and on each anniversary, covering all forms of interactive gaming on one domain. Each additional wagering domain costs €1,500. Tax is 0% on turnover and 1% on gross gaming revenue. There is no fixed minimum capital, although the applicant must show capital adequacy, and the Act allows a term of up to 15 years. The applicant has to be a company registered in Vanuatu, and the VGA puts typical processing at about a month once the file is complete.
Why operators pick Vanuatu
A low-cost formal licence at €10,000 a year, with no fixed minimum capital.
Rare long validity means less renewal friction and more planning certainty.
The application fee can be paid in crypto, and one licence covers all forms of interactive gaming.
0% turnover tax and just 1% on gross gaming revenue.
The VGA quotes about a month to process a complete application.
Vanuatu vs. Anjouan
| Criteria | Vanuatu | Anjouan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | €10,000 | €17,828 |
| Licence term | 15 years | Annual |
| Tax | 0% on turnover, 1% on GGR | 0% GGR |
| Min. capital | None | None |
| Local presence | Vanuatu-registered company | Not required |
| Timeline | ≈ 2 months | 4–8 weeks |
| Crypto gambling | Within all forms of interactive gaming; no crypto rulebook | Widely used; no crypto rulebook |
| Best suited to | Lower annual cost over a long term | Faster, with an established name |
Who the Vanuatu gaming licence suits
Vanuatu gaming licence requirements
How to get a Vanuatu gaming licence
- Preparation Register the Vanuatu applicant company and assemble the business plan, proof of funds and policies. 1–2 weeks
- Application File the application through the VGA portal with the AML/KYC policy and supporting documents. 1–2 weeks
- Review & background checks The Department of Customs and Inland Revenue reviews the application and completes background checks. ≈ 1 month
- Licence & launch On approval the licence issues for a term of up to 15 years and you go live across all verticals. On approval
Not sure Vanuatu is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Vanuatu or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
How much does a Vanuatu gaming licence cost?
- Company setup guidance
- Full VGA application package
- AML/KYC & responsible-gaming policies
- Regulator liaison
- Everything in Starter
- Company incorporation
- Additional domains setup
- Banking / payment introductions
- Everything in Turnkey
- Corporate accounts
- Crypto payment rails
- Ongoing compliance support
Government fees are low: €5,000 to apply and €10,000 a year for the first domain, plus €1,500 for each additional wagering domain. Add the Vanuatu company and compliance work. Tax is 0% on turnover and 1% on GGR. We quote your full first-year budget precisely.
Compliance obligations in Vanuatu
Technical & IT standards in Vanuatu
After you go live in Vanuatu
Which markets a Vanuatu licence reaches
Vanuatu supports broad international reach, but a licence is not market access. Operators geo-block regulated markets they are not separately licensed in, plus sanctioned and FATF-listed territories.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Vanuatu gaming licence FAQ
How much does a Vanuatu gaming licence cost?
The application fee is €5,000 and the licence fee is €10,000 on grant and on each anniversary, for one domain. Each additional wagering domain costs €1,500. There is no fixed minimum capital, although you must show capital adequacy. Tax is 0% on turnover and 1% on gross gaming revenue. These figures are set by Order No. 110 of 2024.
How long is a Vanuatu licence valid?
The Interactive Gaming Act allows a term of up to 15 years, and the VGA states that licences are issued for 15 years. That is one of the longest terms available and keeps renewal friction low.
What does the licence cover?
The licence fee covers all forms of interactive gaming on a domain, which includes online casino, sports betting, poker and lottery-style games.
How long does it take?
The VGA puts typical processing at about a month for a complete application. With company setup and document preparation, plan for about two months in total, against 6–9 months for Malta or 3–6 months for Curaçao.
How does Vanuatu compare to Anjouan?
Both are fast, low-cost offshore permits. Vanuatu has the lower annual fee (€10,000) and a term of up to 15 years, with a 1% GGR tax and a Vanuatu-registered applicant company. Anjouan charges 0% gaming tax and is slightly faster. We'll help you pick based on cost, term and banking needs.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team. Last updated September 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
- Vanuatu Gaming Authority (VGA Limited): fees, licence term and application portal
- Vanuatu Gaming Authority: FAQ on the regulator and processing time
- Interactive Gaming (application fee, licence fee and calculation of tax) Regulation Order No. 110 of 2024
- Vanuatu Interactive Gaming Act [Cap 261]
- Brazil: Medida Provisória nº 1.394/2026, art. 1 (fixed-odds betting banned, including by operators based abroad)
Start your Vanuatu file.
Tell us your product and target markets and we will map the licence route. The consultation is free and confidential, and most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.